Bicycling shoe and bicycling shoe components

ABSTRACT

The invention provides bicycling shoes and bicycling shoe components that offer improved comfort, fit, increased efficiency and reduced incidence of injury. The invention includes an athletic shoe having a sole, an upper attached to the sole to form a toe box, a vamp, a quarter, a throat and an interior cavity, a tongue attached to the upper proximate the toe box, and a closure system adapted to close and secure the tongue on a foot of a user. The closure system comprises at least two straps and two loops that are secured by drawing one end of a strap across the top of the upper, through a loop, and back over the upper, to connect with an opposing end of the strap, and, at least two straps are positioned on the upper to intersect a toe-to-heel line at a strap angle between about 95 degrees and about 120 degrees.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a national stage application under 35 U.S.C. 371 ofPCT Application No. PCT/US2010/038945 having an international filingdate of Sep. 9, 2009, which designated the United States, and which isincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to bicycling shoes and bicycling shoe elementswith improved comfort, fit, and increased efficiency that can reduce theincidence of irritation or injury to the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bicycling is a predominately non-weight bearing form of exercise leadingto relatively few joint impact injuries. Bicyclists can, however,experience knee and/or foot injuries due to improperly fitted (oradjusted) bicycles or bicycle components (such as, seat, handlebars andpedals), poor riding technique and/or improperly fitting bicyclingapparel, such as bicycling shoes. An incorrectly fit bicycle orbicycling shoe and/or a flawed peddling technique can cause anteriorknee pain or injury. Furthermore, nerve damage can occur in a weightbearing foot.

During pedaling, the largest force produced by the bicyclist is throughthe knee and transmitted to the pedal by the foot. A recreationalbicyclist reproduces the pedaling force about 4,500 to about 7,500 timesan hour. On a long ride or a ride against a headwind or up a hill,incorrect knee alignment while pedaling causes an improper distributionof load on the knee, which results in knee pain or injury. Whenbicyclists exert more pedal pressure, damage to the nerves in the footcan result, causing burning sensations, pain, and/or numbness in thefoot.

Thus, there is a desire for a bicycling shoe that can efficientlyfunction to transfer energy between the riders' foot and the pedal whileremaining comfortable and properly adjusted in order to reduce oreliminate irritation and injury to the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a bicycling shoe with unique adjustmentand fit componentry that directly addresses bicyclists' need for greatercomfort, injury prevention and ease of use.

The shoe of the invention is composed of a sole, an upper, a tongueattached to the upper, a closure system and a cleat attachment element.The upper is attached to the sole to form a toe box, a vamp, a quarter,a throat and an interior cavity.

In one embodiment, the bicycling shoe contains a liner positionedbetween at least a portion of the upper and tongue and the interiorcavity of the shoe. In a preferred embodiment, the liner is positionedbetween at least most, if not all, of the upper and tongue and theinterior cavity.

The liner is a non-irritating material that is substantiallynon-abrasive to a user's foot positioned within the interior cavity ofthe shoe. In one aspect of this embodiment, the liner lacks stitchingwhere the user's foot contacts the liner under a shear-force during use.In another aspect of this embodiment, the liner has stitching in alocation where a shear-force between the user's foot and the liner isminimal during use. In yet another aspect of this embodiment, thestitching of the liner exposes little, if any, of the stitching to theuser's foot positioned in the interior cavity. The liner is preferablycomposed of a material that is substantially non-irritating to a user'sfoot positioned in the bicycling shoe.

In one configuration, one or more padding material(s) are positionedbetween the upper and/or tongue and the liner. The padding material isadhered to the one or both of the liner and the upper and/or tongue bystitching, glue, heat welding or the like. Preferably, the paddingmaterial is located at pressure points within the interior cavity of theshoe.

In another aspect of the invention, the sole of the bicycling shoecontains an insole and an outsole, the insole and outsole being in anopposing relationship. In one configuration, the shoe insole is composedprimarily or entirely of a material such as a non-irritating linermaterial, a felt material, a polymeric material, an elastomeric materialor combinations of these materials.

In one embodiment, the sole of the shoe contains a light-weight materialhaving substantial rigidity. In a preferred embodiment, this solecontains a plurality of carbon fibers, and more preferably, a pluralityof carbon fibers configured in a unidirectional alignment or layup toform a light, stiff material. Even more preferably, the sole contains aunidirectional carbon fiber laminate that may also contain one or moreof a polymeric material, a polymeric mixture, a polymeric alloy orcombinations of these polymeric materials.

The sole may also contain venting voids in the sole. The sole ventingvoids extend through the sole to the interior cavity and provide forfluid and air flow into and out of the interior cavity of the bicyclingshoe.

In another aspect of the invention, the quarter of the bicycling shoecontains a heel strap. The heel strap is attached to the upper about theheel, the lateral and medial quarter sides and to the sole. The heelstrap attaches to the sole at about lateral and medial quarter sides atfirst and second attachment points. The heel strap is positioned tosubstantially form an archway over the tuber calcanei of a user's footpositioned in the shoe. In one embodiment, the heel strap contains amaterial composed of a plurality of carbon fibers, and preferablycontains carbon fibers configured in a unidirectional alignment or layupto form a light, stiff material.

The upper of the shoe is composed of one or more durable materials thatare sufficiently flexible to provide tightening and/or securing of theupper about the user's foot by a closure system. The upper preferablycontains a plurality of vent voids that provide for fluid and air flowinto and out of the interior cavity. At least most, if not all, of theseupper vent voids are positioned about the tongue, toe box, vamp andquarter of the bicycling shoe. In one embodiment, the upper ventingvoids are positioned about the tongue, vamp and quarter of the bicyclingshoe. In a preferred embodiment, the vent voids transverse the upper anda liner positioned within the internal cavity of the shoe.

One aspect of the invention is a closure system composed of a pluralityof straps and a plurality of loops. The straps have a fixed end attachedto the lateral side of the upper and the loops are integrally attachedto the medial side of the upper. The straps and loops may be attached tothe upper by stitching, welding, adhesive bonding or any combination ofthese attachment means.

In one embodiment of this closure system, the straps contain opposingfirst and second strap layers. The first strap layer preferably containsthe same material as the upper. In another embodiment, the first straplayer differs from the upper material. The second strap layer of thisembodiment preferably contains hook and pile materials attached to thefirst strap layer by stitching, welding, adhesive bonding or acombination of these attachment means.

In preferred embodiments, the second strap layer has a hook material onone end and a pile material on a distal end, configured such that thehook and pile materials interlock when contacted. In one such preferredembodiment, the second strap layer of the fixed end has the hookmaterial and is attached to the upper with the first strap layercontacting the upper. The interlocking of the hook and pile materials onthe second layer of the strap is strong enough to secure the shoe to theuser's foot while bicycling.

One embodiment of the closure system includes an arch strap, a mid-footstrap, a toe box strap and corresponding loops for each of these strapsto interact with to tighten each strap and secure the bicycling shoe tothe foot of the user. In these embodiments, the arch, mid-foot and toebox straps intersect a toe-to-heel line at a strap angle. In oneembodiment, the strap angle for the arch strap ranges from about 80degrees to about 100 degrees. In a preferred embodiment, the arch strapangle ranges from about 85 degrees to about 95 degrees. In oneembodiment, the strap angle for one or both of the mid-foot and toe boxstraps ranges from about 80 degrees to about 125 degrees. In a preferredembodiment, the strap angle for the mid-foot and/or toe box strapsranges from about 95 degrees to about 120 degrees, and in an even morepreferred embodiment, the strap angle for the mid-foot and/or toe boxstraps ranges from about 100 degrees to about 115 degrees. In oneconfiguration, the closure system is composed of one arch strap and onetoe box strap and thus, the closure system of this embodiment lacks amid-foot strap.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the arch strap and themid-foot strap are separated by a distance that is sufficiently largeenough to substantially relieve pressure generated by the closure systemon the medial branch of the deep fibular nerve, flexor digitorum longustendon and/or flexor digitorium bevis muscle of a user's foot positionedin the bicycle shoe with the shoe secured to the user's foot. The archand mid-foot straps have nearest neighbor edges. The distance separatingthe arch and mid-foot straps is average of the respective nearestneighbor edges. In one preferred configuration, the distance betweenthese straps is greater than about 0.3 inch. In a preferred embodiment,the distance from between these straps is from about 0.7 to about 1.1inch.

In another aspect of the invention, the shoe further comprises an offsetthroat and tongue such that the throat and tongue angle away from themedial side of the shoe and away from the heel to toe center line of theshoe towards the lateral side of the upper. This configuration, whensecured by a closure system about a user's foot, reduces pressure to thenerves and tendons in the upper portion of the user's foot therebyreducing injuries and discomfort to a user's foot when wearing thebicycling shoe, particularly for prolonged periods of time.

In another aspect of the invention, the shoe further comprises a linearrack having a plurality of teeth, a release clip, and the arch straphaving a strap support, a pawl and a strap rack. The linear rack andrelease clip are, respectively attached to the upper medial and lateralsides. The release clip comprises a ratchet mechanism that adaptivelyengages the strap rack and a release leveler that disengages the straprack from the ratchet mechanism. The release leveler simply and easilydisengages the strap by one of pushing and/or lifting of the releaseleveler.

The linear rack and plurality of teeth are configured and attached tothe shoe to adaptively engage the pawl. In one configuration, the pawlcomprises two cylindrical arms extending from an arch strap.

The strap support extends out from the arch strap, as well as, along aportion of the arch strap. In one configuration, the strap supportcomprises a one or more distinct elements. The distinct elements candiffer in composition and shape.

The pawl adaptively engages and disengages from the linear rack. Thepawl adaptively engages the linear rack at one of a plurality ofengagement locations on the linear rack.

The shoe further comprises one or more gaiting assist. The gaitingassist may be located at one of an anterior or a posterior portion ofthe sole, or both of these positions. In one configuration, the gaitingassist is attached to the sole. In another configuration, the gaitingassist is at least partially embedded in the sole.

A cleat attachment element comprises any element suitable for attachinga bicycle clipless cleat. The cleat attachment element is situated onthe sole corresponding to a position below the metatarsal region of theuser's foot when positioned in the shoe.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is an insole insert. Theinsole insert contains opposing lateral and medial sides, opposing toeand heel ends, a mid-section positioned between the toe and heel endsand opposing inner and outer surfaces. The insole insert also contains avarus wedge element and an aft-support element. The toe and heel endshave toe and heel edges, respectively. Similarly, the lateral and medialsides have lateral and medial edges, respectively.

In one embodiment, the insole has a bi-layer construction having firstand second layers. The first layer has opposing first layer top andbottom surfaces and extends from the toe edge to the heel edge and fromthe medial edge to the lateral edge. The layers of this insert may alsocontain one or more voids.

The second layer of the insert has a varus wedge element and anaft-support element. The varus wedge element is positioned adjacent tothe aft-support element. The varus wedge element and the aft-supportelement interconnect and mate with first and second voids to form asubstantially smooth outer surface.

The varus wedge element has opposing medial and lateral edges andopposing toe and metatarsal edges. The varus medial and lateral edgesrespectively have varus medial and lateral thicknesses. Preferably, themedial and lateral thicknesses of the varus wedge element differ. In oneembodiment, the varus medial edge thickness is greater than thethickness of the varus lateral edge. Preferably, the medial and lateralthicknesses of the varus wedge element differ from about 1.0 mm to about5 mm, more preferably from about 1.2 mm to about 1.7 mm.

The varus wedge also has a medial-lateral cross-sectional thickness. Inone embodiment, the cross-sectional thickness of the varus wedgeuniformly transitions from the medial thickness to the lateralthickness. In one embodiment, the medial thickness ranges from about 0.5mm to about 10.0 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the medial thicknessranges from about 1.0 mm to about 8.0 mm, even more preferably, themedial thickness ranges from about 4.0 mm to about 8.0 mm. The lateralthickness ranges from about 0.1 mm to about 5.0 mm, preferably fromabout 0.5 mm to about 5 mm. More preferably, the lateral thicknessranges from about 1 mm to about 3 mm.

The toe and metatarsal edges of the varus wedge have toe and metatarsalthicknesses. Preferably, the toe and metatarsal thicknesses differ. Inone embodiment, the toe thickness is greater than the metatarsalthickness. In a preferred embodiment, the toe and metatarsal thicknessesdiffer from about 0.5 mm to about 8 mm. In a more preferred embodiment,the toe and metatarsal thicknesses differ from about 1 mm to about 4 mm.

The varus wedge also has a toe-metatarsal cross-sectional thickness. Ina preferred embodiment, the toe-metatarsal cross-sectional thicknessuniformly transitions from the metatarsal thickness to the toethickness.

The varus wedge toe thickness ranges from about 0.1 mm to about 5.0 mm.In a preferred embodiment, the toe thickness ranges from about 0.5 mm toabout 5.0 mm, even more preferably, the toe thickness ranges from about1.0 to about 3.0 mm. The metatarsal thickness of the varus wedge rangesfrom about 0.5 mm to about 10.0 mm, and preferably from about 1.0 mm toabout 8.0 mm. More preferably, the metatarsal thickness ranges fromabout 4.0 mm to about 8.0 mm.

The varus wedge element is positioned in the bicycling shoe such thatwhen the user's foot is in the shoe and the user applies pressure to thebicycle pedal, the varus wedge resides between the user's forefoot andthe bicycle pedal. The location of the varus wedge element between theuser's foot and the bicycle pedal aligns one or both of the user'sforefoot and knee when applying force to the pedal.

In one embodiment, the varus wedge element is positioned within a voidsuch that the varus wedge is aligned under the toe and metatarsalregions of a user's foot, when the user's foot is secured in the bicycleshoe.

In one embodiment, the varus wedge element contains one or moretransverse varus channels and each transverse varus channel has one ormore varus channel eyelets. A varus wedge element having one or morevarus channels has a greater flexibility than a varus wedge elementlacking a channel or plurality of channels. The varus channel eyelet(s)further enhance the flexibility of the varus wedge.

In one embodiment, the insole insert has a plurality of varus comfortvoids. The varus comfort void comprises a void volume defined byopposing first and second channel walls, the first layer bottom surfaceand a sole surface. Preferably, the varus comfort void interconnectswith a vent void in the insole insert. The vent void extends through thefirst layer and an optional textile adhered to the top surface. Theextension of the first layer into the one or more comfort voids providescushioning and/or flexion to the insole insert. The cushioning andflexion of the insole insert provides a more even distribution ofpressure at or near a pressure point on the user's foot.

The vent voids transmit fluid or air to provide further comfort to theuser's foot. The cushioning and flexion of the insole insert furtherfacilitates fluid or air transmission through the vent voids. The fluidtransmission through the vent voids removes at least some, if not most,of the fluids away from the user's foot, thereby providing even morecomfort to the user.

The insole insert may also include an arch, transverse and lateralsupports and/or a heel cup. An arch support provides support to medialarch of the user's foot, while the lateral support provides support tolateral arch and lateral plantar aponeuriois and calcaneometarasalligament. The transverse support provides support of planatarapotenuriois, digital slip of the plantar aponeurosist, and transverefaciculi. The support provided by the arch and the lateral andtransverse supports substantially reduces hot spots, pain and numbnessin the user's foot caused by the repeated application of pressure on thefoot and pedal when pedaling. The heel cup provides additional supportand stability to the foot.

The heel cup and arch, transverse and lateral supports are strengthenedand stabilized by a plurality of insole grooves. The insole grooves arepositioned to provide at least some additional strength and/or stabilityto the supports and heel cup beyond the strength and stability of firstand/or second layers. The insole grooves provide a degree of flexibilityto the insole insert. The grooves have a groove depth from about 0.25 mmto about 2.5 mm, preferably about 0.7 mm to about 1.2 mm.

The first layer of the insole, the aft-support element and the varuswedge element preferably contain a polymeric material, and the polymericmaterial composing each of the first layer, the aft-support element andthe varus wedge element can be the same or can differ.

In one embodiment, the varus wedge element contains polyurethane. Thepolyurethane has a hardness value from about 115 to about 65 on theshore A scale. In a preferred embodiment, the hardness value for thepolyurethane ranges from about 105 to about 70 on the shore A scale,more preferred from about 100 to about 75 on the shore A scale. Evenmore preferably, the hardness ranges from about 90 to about 80 on theshore A scale.

In another embodiment, the first layer of the insole and thearch-support element comprises ethylene-vinyl acetate and/orpolyurethane. The ethylene-vinyl acetate has a hardness value from about60 to about 30 on the shore durometer scale. In a preferred embodiment,the hardness value of the ethylene-vinyl acetate is from about 55 toabout 40 on the Asker C scale, even more preferred from about 52 toabout 44 on the Asker C scale.

In one configuration of the invention, the insole insert is positionedbetween optional first and second textile layers. The first and secondtextile layers are composed of natural and/or synthetic textilesmaterials, such as plant fibers, animal fibers, rayons, polyesters,nylons, acrylics, aramids, polyamides, polyurethanes, polyolefins andmixtures thereof. The first and second textile layers may be composed ofthe same textile materials or differ.

As used herein, the term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more ofthat entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “atleast one” can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be notedthat the terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” can be usedinterchangeably.

The terms “at least one”, “one or more”, and “and/or” are open-endedexpressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. Forexample, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C”, “at leastone of A, B, or C”, “one or more of A, B, and C”, “one or more of A, B,or C” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and Btogether, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together.

The preceding is a simplified summary of the invention to provide anunderstanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is neitheran extensive nor exhaustive overview of the invention and its variousembodiments. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the inventionare possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of thefeatures set forth above or described in detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 depicts an elevation view of one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 depicts a top elevation view of another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 depicts another top view of another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 depicts cross-sectional elevation view of yet another embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 5A depicts a top view of a portion of an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5B depicts a cross-sectional view of a closure strap of theembodiment of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A depicts a side cross-sectional view of another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6B depicts a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A depicts a side cross-sectional view of another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7B depicts a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 8 depicts a front elevation view of another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 9 depicts another front elevation view of an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 10 depicts a top elevation view of an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 depicts another top elevation view of an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 12 depicts a left side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 depicts a right side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG.11;

FIG. 14 depicts a side elevation view of another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 15 (panels A-E) depict an embodiment of the linear rack, releaseclip, arch strap, strap support, pawl and strap rack of the presentinvention;

FIG. 16A depicts a top elevation view of a linear rack of the invention;

FIG. 16B depicts a top elevation view of another linear rack of theinvention;

FIG. 17 depicts a top elevation view of one insole embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 18 depicts a bottom elevation view of one insole embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 19A depicts a bottom elevation view of one insole embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 19B depicts a side elevation view of one insole embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 20A depicts a side cross-sectional view of one outsole embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 20B depicts a side cross-sectional view of one portion of theoutsole embodiment of FIG. 20A;

FIG. 20C depicts a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 21 depicts a preferred embodiment of the bicycling shoe of theinvention;

FIG. 22 depicts another preferred embodiment of the bicycling shoe ofthe invention;

FIG. 23A depicts a bottom elevation view of a varus wedge element of theinvention;

FIG. 23B depicts a cross-sectional view of a varus wedge element of theinvention;

FIG. 23C depicts a cross-sectional view of a varus wedge element of theinvention; and,

FIG. 24 depicts a preferred embodiment of the bicycling shoe of theinvention having an offset throat.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-24 depict aspects of a bicycling shoe of the present invention,as well as individual components of the bicycling shoes of theinvention. The bicycling shoe 245 including a sole 250, an upper 252, atongue 251 attached to the upper 252, a closure system 246. The upper252 is attached to the sole 250 to form a toe box 253, a vamp 259, aquarter 260, a throat 257 and an interior cavity 261. The upper 252 isattached to the sole 250 and/or the tongue 251 by any method well knownin the art such as stitching, welding and adhesive bonding.

As used herein the term bicycling shoe may include either left or rightforms of the bicycling shoe. Furthermore, the bicycling shoe includes abicycling shoe designed to fit a man, a woman, or both. The bicyclingshoe has a shoe size according to any international shoe sizedesignation standard. For example, without limitation, the bicyclingshoe may have a size designation selected from the group consisting ofthe United States standard shoe size designations of: 5, 5½, 6, 6½, 7,7½, 8, 8½, 9, 9½, 10, 10½, 11, 11½, 12, 12½, 13, 13½, 14, 14½, 15, 15½,16, 16½, 17, 17½, 18, 18½, 19, 19½, and 20 and a width selected from thegroup of widths consisting of the United States standard widths of: AAA,AA, A, B, C, D, E, EE, EEE, EEEE, F and G.

In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 2 and 7A, the bicycling shoe 245includes a liner 262 positioned between at least a portion of the upper252 (and/or tongue 251) and the interior cavity 261, preferably theliner 262 is positioned between at least most of, if not all of, theupper 252 (and/or tongue 251) and the interior cavity 261. The liner 262may be attached to the upper 252 (and/or tongue 251) by at least one ofstitching, welding and adhesive bonding. Preferably, the liner 262comprises a non-irritating material. A non-irritating material means amaterial that is substantially non-abrasive to a user's foot positionedwithin the interior cavity 261 of the shoe. Non-limiting examples ofsubstantially non-abrasive liner configurations include: 1) the linersubstantially lacks stitching where the user's foot contacts the liner262 under a shear-force during use; 2) the liner 262 has stitching in alocation where a shear-force between the user's foot and the liner 262is minimal during use; 3) the stitching exposes little, if any, of thestitching to the user's foot; and 4) the stitching comprises anon-irritating material.

In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 2 and 6A-7A, a padding material 264is positioned between the upper 252 (and/or tongue 251) and the liner262. In one configuration, the padding material 264 is adhered to one orboth of the liner 262 and the upper 252 (and/or tongue 251). The paddingmaterial 264 is adhered to the upper 252 (and/or tongue 251) by one ormore of stitching, welding and adhesive bonding.

Preferably, the padding material 264 is located at pressure points,i.e., points within the interior cavity 261 where pressure is applied toa user's foot when secured in the bicycling shoe. Non-limiting examplesof pressure points within the interior cavity 261 include, withoutlimitation, heel compartment 266, throat border 268 of the quartersection 260 and tongue underside 270. The padding 264 may also belocated to assist in properly aligning the user's foot within theinterior cavity 261. For example, padding may assist in properlyaligning the user's foot on opposing lateral 272 and medial 274 quartersides.

The sole 250 includes an insole 255 and an outsole 256, the insole 255and outsole 256 being in an opposing relationship. In one embodiment, amidsole 276 is situated between the insole 255 and the outsole 256. Inone configuration, the insole 255 comprises a non-irritating linermaterial, a felt material, a polymeric material, an elastomericmaterial, and/or an insole insert (as described further below).

In another embodiment, the sole 250 includes a light-weight materialthat has a substantial rigidity. Substantial rigidity means the sole 250bends little, if any, when the cyclist applies a pedaling pressure tothe sole 250. In a preferred embodiment, the sole includes a pluralityof carbon fibers, more preferably unidirectionally-aligned carbonfibers. Carbon fibers are preferred for their strength and light-weight.In an even more preferred embodiment, the sole 250 contains aunidirectional carbon fiber laminate, including at least one of apolymeric material, a polymeric mixture, a polymeric alloy, and acombination thereof.

The embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 include a heel strap 278 inthe quarter 260 of the bicycling shoe 245. The heel strap 278 isattached to the upper about the heel, the lateral and medial quartersides and to the sole 250. As shown in the embodiment depicted in FIG.14, the heel strap 278 attaches to the sole at lateral and medialquarter sides at first 279 and second 281 attachment points. The heelstrap 278 is positioned to wrap about a user's heel when the user's footis positioned within the bicycling shoe 245. More specifically, the heelstrap 278 is positioned to substantially form an archway over a user'sheel tuber calcanei. That is, the heel strap 278 is positioned about thesuperior, lateral and medial portions of the tuber calcanei andcalcaneus portions of a user's foot when the user's foot is positionedwithin the bicycling shoe 245. The first 279 and second 281 attachmentpoints, respectively, align with anterior and posterior planes of auser's tibia when the user's foot is positioned within the bicyclingshoe 245. In one embodiment, the heel strap 278 comprises a materialcontaining a plurality of carbon fibers, preferably containing aplurality of unidirectional carbon fibers.

The upper 252 comprises a durable material. Preferably, the durablematerial comprises one or more of a material selected from the groupconsisting of a natural or synthetic leather, a polymeric material, apolymeric mixture, a polymeric alloy, a laminate, a natural or synthetictextile material, a mesh material, or a combination thereof. Preferably,the material comprises a flexible material. That is, the material hassubstantial flexibility to provide tightening and/or securing of theupper 252 about the user's foot by the closure system 246. In oneconfiguration, the upper 252 (including the tongue 251) is composed oftwo or more durable materials. For example, the toe box 253 may becomposed of one material (such as a mesh material) while the reminder ofthe upper 252 is composed of another material.

One aspect of the invention is a closure system that is depicted in theembodiments shown in FIGS. 5A, 8 and 9. The closure system contains aplurality of straps 248 and a plurality of loops 249. The straps 248have a fixed end 290 attached to the lateral side of the upper 252 andthe loops 249 are integrally attached to the medial side of the upper252. The straps 248 and loops 249 are attached to the upper 252 by atleast one of stitching, welding, adhesive bonding or a combinationthereof.

As depicted in FIG. 5B the straps 248 preferably include opposing first288 and second 289 strap layers. The first strap layer 288 contains anupper material (as disclosed above), preferably the same material as theupper 252. However, for design purposes, the first strap layer 288 mayinclude an upper material differing from the material of the upper 252.The hook and pile materials of the second strap layer 289 are attachedto the first strap layer 288 by at least one of stitching, welding,adhesive bonding or a combination thereof.

The second strap layer 289 has a hook material on one end and a pilematerial on a distal end, the hook and pile materials interlock whencontacted. In a preferred embodiment, the second strap layer 289 of thefixed end 290 has the hook material and is attached to the upper 252with the first strap layer 288 contacting the upper 252.

To secure the shoe 245 to the user's foot, the straps 248 are drawnacross the top of the upper 252 through corresponding loops 249, backover the upper 252, and the hook material is contacted with the pilematerial. The interlocking of the hook and pile materials on the secondlayer 289 of the strap 248 is at least strong enough to secure the shoe245 to the user's foot.

In a preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 10, the closure systemcomprises an arch strap 292, a mid-foot strap 293, a toe box strap 294and corresponding loops. The arch strap 292, mid-foot strap 293 and toebox strap 294 intersect a toe-to-heel line at a strap angle 295. Thestrap angle 295 for the arch strap 292 ranges from about 80 degrees toabout 100 degrees, more preferably ranges from about 85 degrees to about95 degrees. In another preferred embodiment, the strap angle 295 for atleast one of the mid-foot strap 293 and toe box strap 294 ranges fromabout 80 degrees to about 125 degrees. More preferably, the strap angle295 for at least one of the mid-foot strap 293 and toe box strap 294ranges from about 95 degrees to about 120 degrees, and even morepreferably from about 100 degrees to about 115 degrees. This strap angle295 in excess of 90 degrees creates a closure system that closes thethroat of the bicycling shoe over the tongue, to secure a user's foot inthe bicycling shoe while minimizing pressure applied by the tongue andthe closure system on the medial branch of the deep fibular nerve,flexor digitorum longus tendon and/or flexor digitorium bevis muscle ofa user's foot. This increases comfort and reduces potential injury tothe nerves in the foot of a user, particularly when the bicycling shoeis secured on the user's foot for a prolonged period of time. In oneembodiment, the closure system includes only an arch strap 292 and a toebox strap 294.

In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 10, the distance 296 between thearch strap 292 and mid-foot strap 293 is sufficiently large todistribute pressure generated by the closure system on the medial branchof the deep fibular nerve, flexor digitorum longus tendon and/or flexordigitorium bevis muscle of a user's foot. In one preferredconfiguration, the distance 296 is greater than about 0.3 inch, morepreferably the distance 296 is greater than about 0.5 inch. In an evenmore preferred configuration, the distance is from about 0.7 to about1.1 inch. The greater the distance between the arch strap 292 andmid-foot strap 293, the more the pressure on the user's foot isrelieved. More specifically, the greater distance between the arch strap292 and mid-foot strap 293, the less pressure being applied by thestraps to the user's medial branch of deep fibular nerve, flexordigitorum longus tendon and/or flexor digitorium bevis muscle.

Another aspect of the invention related to the comfort of the user andreduced potential for injury is an offset throat in a bicycling shoe.FIG. 21 shows an embodiment of the bicycling shoe 400 of the invention,including a closure system 403 composed of three straps: an arch strap405, a mid-foot strap 402, and a toe box strap 401. The closure system403 closes the throat 410 over the tongue 409, to secure a user's footin the bicycling shoe 400. The closure 403 also secures the throatboarder 407 around an ankle of a user when the user's foot is secured inthe interior cavity 408 of the shoe. As depicted in FIG. 21, the throat410, the tongue 409 and the closure system 403 are located symmetricallyon the center line of the upper 404 of the bicycling shoe 400. As notedabove, the arch strap 405, mid-foot strap 402, and/or toe box straps 401having a strap angle in excess of 90 degrees creates a closure systemthat closes the throat of the bicycling shoe over the tongue, to securea user's foot in the bicycling shoe while minimizing pressure applied bythe tongue and the closure system to the medial branch of the deepfibular nerve, flexor digitorum longus tendon and/or flexor digitoriumbevis muscle of a user's foot.

Similar to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 21, FIG. 22 shows anembodiment of the bicycling shoe 500 of the invention, including aclosure system 503 composed of an arch buckle 505 and two straps: amid-foot strap 502, and a toe box strap 501. The arch buckle 505includes an arch strap 520, coupled with a release clip 521. The closuresystem 503 closes the throat 510 over the tongue 509, to secure a user'sfoot in the bicycling shoe 500. The closure 503 also secures the throatboarder 507 around an ankle of a user when the user's foot is secured inthe interior cavity 508 of the shoe. As depicted in FIG. 22, the throat510, the tongue 509 and the closure system 503 are located symmetricallyon the center line of the upper 504 of the bicycling shoe 500. In thisembodiment, the mid-foot strap 502, and/or toe box strap 501 have astrap angle in excess of 90 degrees, creating a closure system thatcloses the throat of the bicycling shoe over the tongue to secure auser's foot in the bicycling shoe while minimizing pressure applied bythe tongue and the closure system to the medial branch of the deepfibular nerve, flexor digitorum longus tendon and/or flexor digitoriumbevis muscle of a user's foot.

Comparing the embodiments of FIGS. 24 and 25, the skilled artisan willreadily appreciate that another embodiment of the invention is abicycling shoe 600 having an offset throat 610. That is, the throat 610is not located symmetrically on the center line of the upper 604 of thebicycling shoe 600. Instead, the throat 610 and tongue 609 are locatedasymmetrically, angling toward the lateral 650 side of the upper 604 andaway from the medial 660 side of the upper 604 of the bicycling shoe.The throat angles away from the toe-to-heel center line at an offsetthroat angle 630, which ranges from about 5 degrees to about 30 degrees,more preferably ranges from about 10 degrees to about 15 degrees. Morepreferably, the offset throat angle 630 is about 12 degrees. This offsetthroat angle 630 minimizes pressure applied by the tongue and theclosure system on the medial branch of the deep fibular nerve, flexordigitorum longus tendon and/or flexor digitorium bevis muscle of auser's foot. This increases comfort and reduces potential injury to thenerves in the foot of a user, particularly when the bicycling shoe issecured on the user's foot for a prolonged period.

The embodiment depicted in FIG. 24 also includes a closure system 603composed of three straps: an arch strap 605, a mid-foot strap 602, and atoe box strap 601. The closure system 603 closes the throat 610 over thetongue 609, to secure a user's foot in the bicycling shoe 600. Asdepicted in FIG. 24, the offset throat angle 630 does not require movingthe components of the closure system 603 to accommodate the offsetthroat angle 630. However, the skilled artisan will readily appreciatethat the components of the closure system 603 could also be displacedtowards the lateral side of the bicycling shoe 600 without departingfrom the inventive concept of the offset throat angle 630 and its effecton the comfort and reduction of pressure and injury to the foot of auser of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 24,the arch strap 605, mid-foot strap 602, and toe box strap 601 have astrap angle in excess of 90 degrees, similar to the components of theclosure system 403 of FIG. 21. The preferred embodiment of FIG. 24includes a closure system 603 including an arch strap 605, a mid-footstrap 602, and a toe box strap 601, similar to the components of theclosure system 403 of FIG. 21, but a related embodiment of the inventionis a bicycling shoe 600 having an offset throat angle 630 as depicted inFIG. 24 with a closure system similar to the closure system 503 depictedin FIG. 22 including an arch buckle 505 and two straps: a mid-foot strap502, and a toe box strap 501, the arch buckle 505 including an archstrap 520 coupled with a release clip 521.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 14, the upper 252 has a plurality ofupper vent voids 283. Preferably, at least most, if not all, of theupper venting voids 283 are positioned at least about the tongue, toebox, vamp and quarter. More preferably, at least most, if not all, ofthe upper venting voids 283 are positioned about the tongue, vamp andquarter. Even more preferably, at least most of the upper venting voids283 are positioned at least about the vamp.

The venting voids 283 transverse the upper 252, and preferably trasversethe upper 252 and the liner. The plurality of venting voids 283 providefor fluid flow out of the interior cavity of the bicycling shoe.

In an embodiment of the sole of a bicycling shoe shown in FIG. 7B, oneor more sole venting voids 284 are situated in the sole 250. The soleventing voids 284 extend through the sole 250 into the interior cavityand provide for fluid flow out of the interior cavity.

The embodiment of FIG. 7B depicts one or more gaiting assist 285. Thegaiting assist 285 may be composed of a polymeric material, a polymericmixture, polymeric alloy or combinations thereof. The gaiting assist 285is preferably located at an anterior and a posterior portion of the sole250. In one configuration, the gaiting assist 285 is attached to thesole 250. The gaiting assist 285 is preferably attached to the sole 285by an adhesive bond, a weld, a fusion bond, an alloyed bond, or acombination thereof. In another configuration, the gaiting assist 285 ispartially embedded in the sole 250. The bicycling shoes of the inventionmay be difficult to walk in due at least to the rigidity of the sole. Agaiting assist 285 comprising a substantially non-slip and/or cushioningmaterial aids the user of the bicycling shoes to more easily walk whenwearing the shoe.

The embodiment of the sole of a bicycling shoe depicted in FIG. 7Bincludes the cleat attachment element 247. Cleat attachment 247 may beany element suitable for attaching a standard bicycle cleat, such as acleat manufactured by one of the following manufacturers: SHIMANO™,CAMPAGNOLO™, LOOK™, WELLGO™, PYRAMID™, TIME™, FORZA™, MAVIC™, BEBOP™,and CRANK BROTHERS™. Preferably, the cleat attachment element 247 isconfigured for attaching a cleat manufactured by Shimano. The cleatattachment element 247 is situated on the sole 250 corresponding to aposition below the user's proximal phalax or superior metatarsal, whenthe user's foot is secured within the shoe.

In another aspect of the invention depicted in FIGS. 11-13 and FIGS.15A-FIG. 15E, the bicycling shoe 245 includes a linear rack 300 having aplurality of teeth on a strap rack 310, a release clip 308, and an archstrap 301 having a strap support 306, a pawl 304 and a strap rack 310.The linear rack 300 and release clip 308 are, respectively attached tothe upper medial and lateral sides by at least one of stitching, weldingand or adhesive bonding. The release clip 308 includes a ratchetmechanism that adaptively engages the strap rack 310, and a releaseleveler 309 that disengages the strap rack 310 from the ratchetmechanism. The release leveler 309 simply and easily disengages thestrap 310 by one of pushing and/or lifting of the release leveler 309.In a preferred embodiment, the release clip 308 is composed of amaterial selected from the group consisting of metallic materials andpolymeric materials. Preferably, the release clip 308 comprises apolymeric material.

The linear rack 300 and plurality of teeth 203 are attached to the shoe245 to adaptively engage the pawl 304. In one configuration, the pawl304 comprises two cylindrical arms 312 extending from arch strap 301,while in another configuration, the pawl 304 comprises a single cylinder313 suspended at one end of the arch strap 301. In the configurationdepicted in FIG. 16A, when the pawl has two cylindrical arms, the linearrack 300 comprises a single rack void 314 positioned between first 316and second 318 sets of the plurality of teeth 203. Similarly, in theinstance of the pawl 304 having a single cylinder 313, the linear rack305, as depicted in FIG. 16B, comprises a single set of the plurality ofteeth 205 having on opposing sides first 322 and second 324 rack voids.In preferred embodiments, the plurality of teeth are curved and/orhooked to securely retain the pawl.

The pawl and linear rack, are preferably composed of one or morematerials having a sufficiently large yield stress, such as metallicmaterials or polymeric materials. In a preferred configuration, the pawlcontains a steel or stainless steel. In another embodiment, the linearrack contains a polymeric material.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 15A, the strap support 306 extendsout from the arch strap 301, and along a portion of the arch strap 301.In one configuration the strap support 306 is composed of one or moredistinct elements and the distinct elements can differ in compositionand shape.

The embodiment depicted in FIGS. 15A-15E depicts an embodiment of thestrap support 306 having first 330 and second 332 strap supportelements. The second strap support element 332 is located between theinterior cavity of the bicycling shoe and the first strap element 330.Preferably, the first strap element 330 is continuous with and anintegral element of the arch strap 292. The first strap element 330 andsecond strap element 332 may be composed of the same material ordifferent materials. In a preferred embodiment, the second strap element332 has at least one of: 1) a material having a hardness rating lessthan the first strap element 330; 2) a shape that reduces, compared tothe first strap element 330, pressure exerted on the user's foot whenthe arch strap 301 is tightened about the user's foot; and 3) acombination thereof.

As depicted in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the pawl 304 can be adaptively engagedand disengaged from the linear rack. That is, the arch strap 301 can beconnected and disconnected from the linear rack and therefore thebicycling shoe. The pawl 304 can adaptively engage the linear rack 300at a plurality of engagement locations 334 a-b on the linear rack 300,where engagement location 334 a is further from the tongue of thebicycling shoe than engagement location 334 b. From the plurality ofengagement locations 334, the user may select a location that providesoptimal comfort, positioning of the strap support 306 on the user'sarch, and optimal tension across the user's foot. In one embodiment,engaging and disengaging the strap support 306 provides the user with anoption to select an arch strap from a plurality of differing archstraps, each of which affords different materials and designs to providevariations in the desired comfort, support positioning location,tension, or design feature (such as, color, team affiliation, politicalor social message, or whimsical fun).

Another aspect of the invention is an insole insert adapted to residewithin the bicycling shoe, atop the sole of the shoe. FIGS. 17-18 depictvarious aspects of an insole insert 100 of the invention comprisingopposing lateral 102 and medial 103 sides, opposing toe 106 and heel 108ends, a mid-section 110 positioned between the toe 106 and heel 108ends, opposing inner 114 and outer 116 surfaces, a varus wedge element112 and an aft-support element 134. The toe 106 and heel 108 ends,respectively have toe 140 and heel 142 edges. Similarly, the lateral 102and medial 103 sides, respectively have lateral 138 and medial 136edges.

In one embodiment, the insole 100 includes a bi-layer constructionhaving first and second layers. As depicted in FIGS. 19A and 19B, thefirst layer 124 has opposing first layer top surface 125 and first layerbottom surface 127 and extends from the toe edge to the heel edge andfrom the medial edge to the lateral edge and may contain first 113 andsecond 115 voids.

The second layer 134, depicted in FIG. 18 includes a varus wedge elementat region 112, and an aft-support element at region 134. The varus wedgeelement 112 and the aft-support elements 134, respectively, interconnectand mate with first 113 and second 115 voids to form a substantiallysmooth outer surface 116. The varus wedge element 112 is positionedadjacent to the aft-support element 134. In a preferred configuration,the varus wedge element 112 contacts the aft-support element 134.

The varus wedge element 112 depicted in FIGS. 23A-23C includes opposingvarus medial 158 and lateral 159 edges and opposing varus toe 162 andmetatarsal 163 edges. The opposing varus medial 158 and lateral 159edges, respectively have varus medial 160 and lateral 161 thicknesses.The varus medial 160 and lateral 161 thicknesses differ. In oneembodiment, the varus medial thickness 160 is greater than varus lateralthickness 161. Preferably, the varus medial 160 and lateral 161thicknesses differ from about 1 mm to about 5 mm, more preferably fromabout 1.2 mm to about 1.7 mm. The varus wedge 112 has a medial-lateralcross-sectional thickness 167. In a preferred embodiment, thecross-sectional thickness 167 uniformly transitions from the varusmedial 160 to the varus lateral 161 thickness.

The varus medial thickness 160 ranges from about 0.5 mm to about 10 mm.In a preferred embodiment, the varus medial thickness 160 ranges fromabout 1.0 mm to about 8 mm, more preferably the medial thickness 160ranges from about 4 to about 7 mm. The varus lateral thickness 161ranges from about 0.1 mm to about 5 mm, preferably from about 0.5 mm toabout 5 mm. More preferably, the varus lateral thickness 161 ranges fromabout 1 mm to about 3 mm.

The opposing toe 162 and metatarsal 163 edges have varus toe 164 andmetatarsal 165 thicknesses, respectively. The varus toe 164 andmetatarsal 165 thicknesses differ. In an embodiment, the varus toethickness 164 is greater than varus metatarsal thickness 165,preferably, the difference between varus toe 164 and metatarsal 165thicknesses differ from about 0.5 mm to about 8 mm and more preferablyfrom about 1 mm to about 4 mm. The varus wedge 112 has a toe-metatarsalcross-sectional thickness 168. In a preferred embodiment, thetoe-metatarsal cross-sectional thickness 168 uniformly transitions fromthe metatarsal thickness 165 to the toe thickness 164.

The varus toe thickness 164 ranges from about 0.1 mm to about 5 mm. In apreferred embodiment, the varus toe thickness 164 ranges from about 0.5mm to about 5 mm, even more preferably, the toe thickness 164 rangesfrom about 1 mm to about 3 mm. The varus metatarsal thickness 165 rangesfrom about 0.5 mm to about 10 mm, preferably from about 1 mm to about 8mm. More preferably, the varus metatarsal thickness 165 ranges fromabout 4 mm to about 8 mm.

Returning to the differing varus medial 160 and lateral 161 thicknesses,when a bicyclist applies a force to a bicycle pedal, the force isapplied through the ball of the user's foot (commonly referred to as theuser's forefoot). A forefoot varus refers to the ball of the foot beingevaluated in relation to the lateral region of the foot, when the footis in a non-weight bearing situation. In other words, in a non-weightbearing situation a varus forefoot has a big-toe up with respect to thelower leg. So when a cyclist applies pressure through the forefoothaving a forefoot varus the user's tibia rotates turning the user's kneemedially (in towards the bicycle). The medial rotation of the kneecauses loss of the applied force (and power) and/or injury to the knee.Having the varus wedge element 112 located between the user's forefootand the bicycle pedal aids in aligning one or both of the user'sforefoot and knee when applying force to the pedal.

Stated another way, the user's forefoot is positioned at an anglerelative to the pedal. For a forefoot having a varus angle, the contactof the user's forefoot with the pedal rotates the user's tibia and kneemedially. Positioning a varus wedge element 112 between the user'sforefoot and the pedal adjusts the angle to a neutral (that is, level)position such that the user's tibia and knee rotate little, if at all.This increases the force applied to the pedal and decreases the strainand medial rotation on the knee. In other words, the varus wedge element112 reduces knee wobble while peddling.

The varus wedge element 112 is positioned within first void 113 tosubstantially align with toe 146 and metatarsal 148 regions of a user'sfoot 147, when the user's foot 147 is in contact with the insole insert100. In one embodiment, the varus edge 163 is correspondingly inalignment with metatarsal 148 region of the user's foot 147 when theuser's foot is positioned on the insole insert 100. In oneconfiguration, the varus lateral edge 159 forms at least a portion ofthe insole lateral edge 138. Similarly the varus medial edge 158 formsat least a portion of the insole medial edge 136 and the varus toe edge162 forms at least a portion of the insole toe edge 140. In anotherconfiguration, the varus lateral 159, medial 158 and toe 162 edge formlittle, if any, of the inside lateral 138, medial 158 and toe 140 edgesof the insole insert 100.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 18, the varus wedge element 112contains one or more transverse varus channels 144. In oneconfiguration, one or more of the transverse varus channels 144 have avarus channel eyelet 145. The varus wedge element 112 that contains oneor more varus channels 144 has a greater flexibility than a varus wedgeelement lacking a channel or plurality of channels. The varus channeleyelet 145 further enhances the flexibility of the varus wedge 112. Inone configuration, the channel eyelet 145 has an eyelet curvature 156.The eyelet curvature 156 and/or varus channels 144 reduce, and/oreliminate, stress and stress-points within the varus wedge 112 duringflexion stress or compression of the wedge 112.

FIGS. 20A-20C depict a cross-sectional view of the insole insert 100showing a plurality of varus comfort voids 182. The varus comfort void182 comprises a void volume defined by opposing first 192 and second 194varus channel walls, the first layer bottom surface 127 and a solesurface 190. The varus comfort void 182 interconnects with a vent void196. The vent void 196 extends through the first layer 124 and anoptional textile 128 adhered to the top surface 125. When applyingpressure to the first layer 124 (such as when a cyclist applies adownward pressure on a pedal) the first layer 124 extends into one ormore varus comfort voids 182. The extension of the first layer 124 intothe one or more comfort voids 182 provides cushioning and/or flexion tothe insole insert 100. The cushioning and flexion of the insole insert100 provides a more even distribution of pressure at or near a pressurepoint on the user's foot during the application of the pressure.Furthermore, the user's foot experiences a massaging affect from theinsole insert cushioning and flexion.

The vent voids 196 transmit fluid (such as a liquid and/or gaseousfluid) to provide further comfort to the user's foot. The cushioning andflexion of the insole insert 100 further facilitates fluid transmissionthrough the vent voids 196. The transmission of fluid through the ventvoids 196 removes at least some fluid away from the user's foot, therebyproviding even more comfort to the user.

As depicted in FIG. 17, the insole insert 100 further comprises arch118, transverse 120 and lateral 119 supports and a heel cup 121. Thearch support 118 provides support to the medial arch 198 of foot 200,while the lateral support 119 provides support to the lateral arch 202and lateral plantar aponeuriois 202 and calcaneometarasal ligament 203.The transverse support 120 provides support of planatar apotenuriois204, digital slip of the plantar aponeurosist 205, and transverefaciculi 206 of the user's foot positioned on the insole insert 100. Thesupport provided by the arch 118, lateral 119 and transverse 120supports substantially reduce hot sports, pain and numbness in theuser's foot 200. The heel cup 121 provides additional support andstability to the foot 200.

The heel cup 121 and arch 118, transverse 120 and lateral 119 supportsare strengthened and stabilized by a plurality of insole grooves 207.The insole grooves 207 are positioned to provide at least someadditional strength and/or stability to the supports 118, 119 and 120and heel cup 121 beyond the strength and stability of first 124 and/orsecond 126 layers (that is, the strength and stability of the layers 124and 126 alone and/or combined). Furthermore, the insole grooves 207provide a degree of flexibility to the insole insert 100.

In these embodiments, the first layer, the aft-support element and thevarus wedge elements preferably comprise a polymeric material, thepolymeric material may included in the first layer, the aft-supportelement and the varus wedge element can be the same or can be differentpolymeric materials. The polymeric material for each of the first layer,the aft-support element and the varus wedge element may includehomopolymers, copolymers, polymer mixtures and polymer alloys. Thepolymeric materials may also include a polymer such as polyolefins,polystyrenes, polyvinyls, polyacrylics, polyhalo-olefins, polydienes,polyoxides/esthers/acetals, polysulfides, polyesters/thioesters,polyamides/thioamides, polyurethanes/thiourethanes, polyureas/thioureas,polyimides/thioimides, polyanhydrides/thianhydrides,polycarbonates/thiocarbonates, polyimines, polysiloxanes/silanes,polyphosphazenes, polyketones/thioketones,polysulfones/sulfoxides/sulfonates/sulfoamides, polyphylenes, andmixtures thereof.

In one embodiment, the varus wedge element contains polyurethane. Thepolyurethane has a hardness value from about 115 to about 65 on theshore A scale. In a preferred embodiment the hardness value for thepolyurethane ranges from about 105 to about 70 on the shore A scale,more preferred from about 100 to about 75 on the shore A scale. Evenmore preferred, the hardness ranges from about 90 to about 80 on theshore A scale.

In another embodiment, the first layer and the aft-support elementcontain ethylene-vinyl acetate. The ethylene-vinyl acetate has ahardness value from about 60 to about 30 on the shore durometer scale.In preferred embodiment, the hardness value of the ethylene-vinylacetate is from about 55 to about 40 on the Asker C scale, even morepreferred from about 52 to about 44 on the Asker C scale.

In one configuration, the insole insert 100 is positioned betweenoptional first and second textile layers. The first and second textilelayers may contain natural and/or synthetic materials. These textilelayers may include plant or animal fibers (such as, cotton or wool),rayons, polyesters, nylons, acrylics, aramids, polyamides,polyurethanes, polyolefins, polyactifes or mixtures thereof. The firstand second textile layers may contain the same textile materials ordiffer.

In a preferred configuration, the first textile layer is positioned onand adhered to the first layer 124 of the insole insert 100. The firsttextile layer provides moisture control and/or comfort. The firsttextile layer is positioned adjacent to a user's foot and absorbsmoisture generated by the user's foot. Furthermore, the first textilelayer is more ‘breathable’ than the first layer. More breathable meansthat the first textile layer affords better air circulation than thefirst layer when positioned adjacent to the user's foot. Therefore, thefirst textile layer is perceived by the user to be cooler than the firstlayer. The first textile layer can contain one or more graphic images,alpha-numerical text and combinations thereof. The first textile layercan provide a non-slip surface and further cushion between the user'sfoot and the insole insert 100.

In one configuration, the second textile layer is positioned on andadhered to the outer layer 116. The second textile layer can provide anon-slip surface between the insole insert 100 and shoe insole 132. Inanother configuration, when the outer layer 116 provides a sufficientnon-slip surface the second textile layer is omitted.

As used herein the term insole insert means both left and right forms ofthe insole insert 100. The insole insert may fit any of the standardinternational size designations for men or women. As for example,without limitation, the insole inset 100 has a size selected from thegroup consisting of the United States standard size designations of: 5,5½, 6, 6½, 7, 7½, 8, 8½, 9, 9½, 10, 10½, 11, 11½, 12, 12½, 13, 13½, 14,14½, 15, 15½, 16, 16½, 17, 17½, 18, 18½, 19, 19½, and 20 and a widthselected from the group consisting of the United States standard widthsof: AAA, AA, A, B, C, D, E, EE, EEE, EEEE, F and G.

Based on this disclosure and the accompanying drawings, one of skill inthe art will readily understand that the aspects and embodimentsdescribed above are not mutually exclusive in any combination. Thus,each of the aspects and embodiments described above may be combined inany combination to make and use a bicycling shoe having improvedcomfort, fit, increased efficiency and reduced incidence of injury tothe user. Thus, the liner positioned between at least a portion of theupper and tongue and the interior cavity of the shoe, and the insolecomposed primarily or entirely of a non-irritating liner material, andthe sole that contains a unidirectional carbon fiber laminate, and thesole that contains venting voids in the sole, and the heel strapattached to the upper about the heel, and the lateral and medial quartersides of the shoe, and the upper containing a plurality of vent voidsthat provide for fluid and air flow into and out of the interior cavity,and the closure system composed of a plurality of straps and a pluralityof loops that have strap angles of greater than 90 degrees, and agaiting assist located at least at anterior or posterior portions of thesole, and an arch buckle including an arch strap having a strap support,and an insole having varus wedge elements and/or arch supports and/ortransverse and lateral supports and/or a heel cup, and an offset throatangle, may all be combined in a single, preferred, bicycling shoe or maybe individually incorporated into a bicycling shoe, or may be combinedin any combination to make and use a bicycling shoe of the invention.

The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intendedto limit the invention to the form or forms disclosed herein. In theforegoing Detailed Description for example, various features of theinvention are grouped together in one or more embodiments for thepurpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the embodimentsof the invention may be combined in alternate embodiments other thanthose discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to beinterpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed inventionrequires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather,as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than allfeatures of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the followingclaims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with eachclaim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of theinvention.

Moreover, though the description of the invention has includeddescription of one or more embodiments and certain variations andmodifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications arewithin the scope of the invention, e.g., as may be within the skill andknowledge of those in the art, after understanding the presentdisclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternativeembodiments to the extent permitted, including alternate,interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or stepsto those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/orequivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein,and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subjectmatter.

What is claimed is:
 1. An athletic shoe comprising: a sole, an upperattached to the sole to form a toe box, a vamp, a quarter, a throat andan interior cavity, a tongue attached to the upper proximate the toebox, and a closure system adapted to close the throat and secure thetongue on a foot of a user in a manner that reduces the pressure beingapplied to a user's medial branch of deep fibular nerve, flexordigitorum longus tendon and flexor digitorium bevis muscle, said closuresystem consisting of an arch strap and one of a toe box strap and amid-foot strap, said arch strap having a fixed end attached to thelateral side of the upper and a loose end secured by drawing one end ofsaid arch strap across the top of the upper, and through an arch straploop positioned and secured on a medial side of said shoe, and back overthe upper, to connect with an opposing end of said arch strap, said oneof said mid-foot strap and toe box strap having a fixed end attached tothe lateral side of the upper and an opposing end secured by drawing oneend of the one of said mid-foot strap and toe box strap across the topof the upper, and through one of a mid-foot strap loop and a toe boxstrap loop positioned and secured on a medial side of said shoe, andback over the upper, to connect with an opposing end of the one of saidmid-foot strap and toe box strap, said arch strap loop being integrallyattached to the medial side of the upper and affixed to said shoe at apoint above the sole and medial of a heel-to-toe line, said arch straploop being secured to said shoe at a fixed arch strap loop angle havingan axis that extends essentially parallel with said medial edge of saidshoe; the one of said mid-foot strap loop and toe box strap loop beingintegrally attached to the medial side of the upper and affixed to saidshoe at a point above the sole and medial of a heel-to-toe line, the oneof said mid-foot strap loop and toe box strap loop being secured to saidshoe at a fixed angle having an axis that extends non-parallel with saidmedial edge of said shoe and that intersects the toe of said shoe, saidarch strap loop angle being different from the fixed angle of the one ofsaid mid-foot strap loop and toe box strap loop; wherein said arch straploop and arch strap are attached to the upper by at least one ofstitching, welding, or adhesive bonding; and wherein the distancebetween the arch strap and the one of said mid-foot strap and toe boxstrap is from 0.7 to about 1.1 inch and is adapted to distributepressure generated by the closure system on one of the medial branch ofthe deep fibular nerve, flexor digitorum longus tendon and the flexordigitorium bevis muscle of a user's foot; wherein, the closure systemcomprises at least two straps and two loops that are secured by drawingone end of each strap across the top of the upper, through a loop, andback over the upper, to connect with an opposing end of the strap, andwherein each of the straps are positioned on the upper to intersect atoe-to-heel line at a strap angle between about 95 degrees and about 120degrees.
 2. The athletic shoe of claim 1, further comprising: a linerpositioned between at least a portion of the upper and tongue and theinterior cavity of the shoe.
 3. The athletic shoe of claim 1, furthercomprising: a liner positioned between at least a portion of the upperand tongue and the interior cavity of the shoe, said liner havingstitching in a location where a shear-force between the user's foot andthe liner is minimal during use and where the stitching does not contacta user's foot.
 4. The athletic shoe of claim 1, further comprising: aunidirectional carbon fiber laminate in the sole of the shoe.
 5. Theathletic shoe of claim 1, further comprising: venting voids in the soleof the shoe.
 6. The athletic shoe of claim 1, further comprising: a heelstrap attached to the upper about the heel, and lateral and medialquarter sides of the shoe.
 7. The athletic shoe of claim 1, furthercomprising: a plurality of vent voids in the upper of the shoe.
 8. Theathletic shoe of claim 1, further comprising: a gaiting assist locatedon one of an anterior and posterior portions of the sole of the shoe. 9.The athletic shoe of claim 1, further comprising: an arch bucklecomprising an arch strap having a strap support and a release clip thatengages the arch strap.
 10. The athletic shoe of claim 1, furthercomprising: an insole having at least one of varus wedge elements, archsupports, a transverse support, a lateral support and a heel cup. 11.The athletic shoe of claim 1, further comprising: an offset throatwherein the throat angles away from the medial side of the shoe and awayfrom the heel-to-toe center line of the shoe, towards the lateral sideof the upper.